Friends of Oddfellows Cemetery

Thanks to all the campers at Camp Hanes for helping to clean up the Cemetery landscape!

Wake Forest University staff / alum helping our cemetery restoration in April !

So grateful to the WFU "Pro Humanitate Day Volunteers" - just a few who joined us at the cemetery. . . . Thank you.

Like most African Americans, I’ve found few spaces that provide a direct connection to ancestors whose lives began in the 19th century; ODD FELLOWS Cemetery is the only one for descendants of my mother’s birth family, the Tysons. The family first settled in Winston-Salem in 1880, and four of them, including the grandparents who raised Mother, are buried there. Her grandfather was a member of the lodge. As the family historian, I especially appreciate the ongoing efforts of the “Friends of Odd Fellows” to verify and recover their resting places. I treasure these sacred grounds, and I am grateful to all who labor to preserve them.

Marsha L. Houston, Ph.D.
Georgia

Thanks Spark-Dwell for organizing the Tool Shed!

Our final project to complete the Winston Salem Foundation grant - exterior lighting. Let There Be Light!

The cemetery IS open today for Dr. King's Day of Service. We will be there for as many as who volunteer. Refreshments and food available; currently no rain or wind. Dress warmly.

Best Wishes! to Senior Services, our Neighbor, on its Open House.. we were pleased to provide overflow parking. Great day!

Friends were happy to host the State Historic Preservation Officers delegation in October - Memorable!

Stop by the Oddfellows booth at the Fair! Booth 59

On 06 June 1944, D-Day, the Allies launched the largest amphibious attack in history; in August, France was liberated from N**i occupation. We salute All Veterans of that operation & continually pray for our servicemen and women.
Our June Birthday Honors will be posted this month! THANK YOU for your Service!
🥰🙏

John Hickman was born on May 5 in Winston-Salem. At the age of 21, he enlisted in the US Army, possibly at Fort Hayes in Ohio, during World War I. John was enlisted as a private, starting in Troop F of the 10th Cavalry. He remained in the 10th Cavalry for some time, before transferring to Auxiliary Remount Depot 329. The 10th Cavalry was formed as a segregated African American unit as one of the original “Buffalo Soldier” regiments after the Civil War. The Cavalry, which consisted of horse-mounted soldiers, stayed in the US during WWI, most often fighting along the US-Mexico border against Mexican and German combined forces there. Prior to WWI, Buffalo Soldiers of Troop F also contributed to the American colonization and settlement of Indigenous territories West of the Mississippi. In the Quartermaster Corps’ Remount Depot, John helped provide horses, and possibly other animals, to the troops on the front. John was honorably discharged on November 19, 1920, as a Private 1st class without injuries and without any overseas service. John passed away long after his military service, on May 7, 1967. Please join us in celebrating Pfc. John Hickman of the 10th Buffalo Soldier Unit this month!

MAY BIRTHDAYS: Robert R. McGill
Robert McGill was born on May 2 in Monroe, NC. He worked in construction, and at the age of 21, he enlisted in the US Army Air Forces at Fort McPherson in Fulton County, GA. After serving in WWII, he was honorably discharged and then returned to Winston Salem. On Jan 9, 1956, Robert sadly passed away at Kate B. Reynolds, preceding his mother Annie in death. He was never married and had no children; but judging by the prevalence of his mother’s name throughout his records, he may have been very close to his mother. Please join us in celebrating Pfc. Robert R. McGill’s life this May.

Clarence Gallmon

Clarence Gallmon was born in North Carolina on February 20. He worked at Treat Potato Chip company on N. Trade St. before enlisting in the US Army on July 14, 1945 -- Camp Pickett, Blackstone, VA. He was assigned to work in the Army Ground Forces Readiness Division #1 arranging transportation. He was discharged on February 28, 1947 with the rank of Private First Class. After his military service, Clarence worked at an Auto Body Shop. Pfc. Gallmon passed away in Durham, NC on February , 1963 & was buried in Odd Fellows. We wish PFC Gallmon a Happy February Birthday!

Sylvester Robert HAIRSTON was born on February 10 in Davie County, NC.
On May 8, 1918, Sylvester enlisted in the US Army. He served as a Corporal in Company B of the 408 Service Battalion, and Company D of the Labor Battalion, in World War I. He was discharged on July 18, 1919.
In 1948 Sylvester married Josie Lee Miller in Winston Salem. He retired from working in the to***co factory; he passed away on March 12, 1953.
Corporal Hairston is one of our many Veterans buried in Odd Fellows: so, please join us in wishing Corporal Sylvester Robert Hairston a happy birthday!

Happy Birthday To:
Sgt. Harris -
George Addison Harris was born on January 20, in Winston Salem, NC. Before his military service began, Harris had relocated to Corning, NY. There, on September 7, 1918, he enlisted in the US Army. He served first in the 152nd Depot Brigade until September 30, 1918, and then in the 591st. Motor Transport Corp. The Motor Transport Corps was formed out of the Army’s Quartermaster Corps in 1918 to manage and maintain motor vehicles for the American Expeditionary Force sent to France. He was honorably discharged in June 1919, at the rank of Sergeant. He passed away in the Bronx, New York City, NY on June 13, 1939, and was buried in our Odd Fellows Cemetery. Join us in celebrating George Addison Harris’s life on his birthday!

Happy Birthday, Pfc. Spencer!

B I R T H D A Y HONORS!
Veteran, James Harry Spencer was born on January 14. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1918 in Washington, NC, and served in the 156th Depot Brigade, where newly recruited soldiers were received, supplied, and trained. He eventually served in Company A 344th Service Battalion. His battalion served overseas in France from 1918, to August 1919. He earned the rank of Private and shortly after returning home, he was honorably discharged that September, 1919.
He passed away on May 27, 1955, and today, he rests at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Join us in remembering James Harry Spencer on his birthday! Happy Belated Birthday - THANK You for your Service!

Lt. Spurgeon Ellington, Atkins High School graduate, buried in the family plot. He was an airman during WWII - of the Tuskegee Airmen. WE SALUTE YOU
JAN 16, 2023

The King Serviceday: SUPER-productive! Thanks Volunteers!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEXANDER KEMP! Alexander Kemp was born in Pittsylvania County, VA near the Dan River, on January 1.

In 1898, Kemp enlisted in the US Army and served in the Spanish-American War as a Private in Company E (3rd North Carolina regiment). This regiment was composed entirely of Black volunteers who, though eager to serve, refused to do so under unequal treatment. They demanded to be led by a Black officer who would respect them, and therefore James Hunter Young, a prominent black state legislator, and editor of the Raleigh Gazette, was appointed Commander. The soldiers in the Regiment were routinely terrorized by racist white soldiers and civilians and confined to non-combat garrison duty. Despite harassment, the soldiers reacted with dignity and eventually “were specially commended” by a Presidential Commission. After his military service, Kemp lived with his wife Nannie Kemp and cousin Maple Speace and worked at Taylor Brothers To***co Company. His living descendants fondly recall his activities as a teacher as well. Kemp passed away on March 28, 1945, in Winston-Salem, at the age of 65. Please join us in honoring Mr. Kemp’s life!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

Friends of Odd Fellows will begin "Birthday Honors" this January. We will honor / remember our buried loved ones and "introduce" you to them. We begin today with Mr. Alexander Kemp, whose birthdate was Jan. 1 - Happy Belated Birthday!! Enjoy reading about his life ! MORE TO COME!

coming soon - 'honors' for our Buried. stay tuned.

Great day for the tour

Cemetery Tour during Preservation NC Conference

Odd Fellows thanks PreservationNC for recognition, with the
Minnette C. Duffy Landscape Award

Great visit & tour with Preservation NC, during their annual conference in Winston Salem!

Booth 117, stop by and browse our pictures